Game Day Build-Up: Home Opener Weekend presented by CAA continues against Syracuse

Belleville Senators Game Day Build-Up
Oct.20/24 vs Syracuse Crunch (NHL Affiliate: Tampa Bay Lightning)

The Set Up:

It was a successful return to home ice for the Belleville Senators on Saturday night, albeit a nail-biting success. The Senators jumped out to a 4-0 lead over the Utica Comets at CAA Arena, thanks to goals by Zack Ostapchuk, Jeremy Davies, Cole Reinhardt and Donovan Sebrango, but the Comets made it interesting. Utica was able to shrink the Belleville lead to two before Angus Crookshank would stuff in the eventual game-winner early in the third period. It was an early lesson for a young B-Sens team that shouldn’t have trouble finding the net this season but will have to learn to protect leads. Especially against teams like this afternoon’s opponent, the Syracuse Crunch, who visit Belleville for the first time this season to cap a three-in-three stretch, which has seen them lose twice already in Laval this weekend, being outscored 6-2.

Previous History:

This is the second time in a little over a week that Belleville and Syracuse have tangled and it’s the second of eight games in their season series. Jan Jenik was the only Senator to score in a 2-1 shootout loss in Syracuse last Saturday. Mads Sogaard stopped 27 of 28 shots in regulation time and two of three shooters in the shootout. The extra time loss last weekend dropped Belleville’s all-time record against Syracuse to 20-16-2-3 and 6-10-2-3 at Upstate Medical University Arena. Here at home, the Senators were a perfect 4-0-0-0 against the Crunch last season and are 14-6-0-0 all time. Game time is 3:00 p.m.

Roster Notes:

The B-Sens parent club in Ottawa announced two transactions this morning that will impact today’s lineup. Forward Cole Reinhardt has earned his first recall to the National Hockey League after putting up five points (two goals, three assists) over his first three games, including a goal and two assists last night. Meanwhile, goaltender Mads Sogaard has been re-assigned back to Belleville, after spending about a week on the NHL roster. With the “Great Dane” returning, rookie netminder Michael Simpson has been reassigned to the Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL). Full lineup details, including line combinations, will be available before the puck drops.

Who to Watch:

B-Sens defenceman Donovan Sebrango has had an excellent start to his fifth American Hockey League campaign. The Ottawa-born, Kingston-raised blueliner has picked up three points in three games, scoring his first goal of the season last night. Sebrango, who won a gold medal with Canada at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, was named one of Belleville’s alternate captains this season and has been able to add some offensive flair to his physical play style.

Rookie defenceman Dyllan Gill has had the best offensive output for Syracuse to start the season, notching three points (two goals, one assist) over three games, though he didn’t dress yesterday in Laval. Former Laval standout Jesse Ylonen has three assists over his first four games as a member of the Crunch, while Jaydon Dureau, Maxim Groshev, and another former Rocket Joel Teasdale, all have a goal and an assist over four games. Teasdale was the only member of the Crunch to score against Belleville in regulation time last week.

At the Rink:

Today’s game is a continuation of Home Opener Weekend, with a full team autograph signing in McFarlands’ Pub after the game. The Locker Room Store also has dozens of new styles of hats, clothing, and memorabilia available from brands like Zephyr, 47 Brand, Blue 84, Violent Gentlemen, Sticker Mule and more. You can get your gear at The Locker Room Store in the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre from noon until 3:00 p.m. or at the Gate 2 Merchandise Stand once inside.

Ticket Info:

Tickets for this afternoon’s matchup with Syracuse and all games through the first half of the 2024-25 Belleville Sens season are now on sale via Ticketmaster, by emailing tickets@bellevillesens.com. or The Belleville Sens Box Office at CAA Arena will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. today.

Fans looking to get a head start on locking up tickets for any game on the schedule can do so now by becoming a season seat member, purchasing a flex pack membership, or putting down a deposit for a group experience. More information on those ticket options, plus details on premium seating and Business Elite packages is available by visiting the Belleville Sens website or emailing tickets@bellevillesens.com.

Follow the Action:

Broadcast coerage of today’s game is available to be viewed live on AHLTV on FloHockey, or heard free on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network. Pregame coverage on both platforms begins at 6:50 p.m., with David Foot and Brock Ormond.

The full Belleville Sens 2024-25 regular season schedule is available by clicking here. 

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